San Miguel can finally call itself a PBA 3×3 champion after beating Barangay Ginebra, 21-15, in a rare all-SMC showdown in the Second Conference’s Leg 2 Finals, Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Jeff Manday powered the Beermen with 14 points on five deuces to cap off what had been a sensational playoff run for him. After averaging just 4.8 points in the pool stages, he normed 11.7 from the quarters to the title bout.
“Thankful ako sa mga kuya ko, na laging andiyan para mag-advise sa akin,” said 26-year-old guard. “Pinu-push nila ako.”
Manday helped set the tone for the victory that led to the team bagging home Php 100,000. He scored all of SMB’s points in a 9-3 start into the match, which soon became 14-4 thanks to Ken Bono and Mon Rogado.
And when their foes rallied behind Encho Serrano, Manday was there to put his side at match point after attacking Jollo Go’s defense. Bacon Austria then sealed the victory with a shot from point-blank with 2:10 left.
Bono and Austria had three points apiece, while Rogado added two for SMB, whose best finish was fourth in Leg 6 of the First Conference.
“Sobrang sarap dahil ang tagal namin hinintay,” Austria said. “We stayed the course lang. We got new players, ang laking tulong nila.”
Dennice Villamor had seven points to lead Ginebra in the defeat, which is still an improvement after settling for third in the last leg.
Serrano had five points, while Jayson David scored two as he braved through an ankle injury he suffered in the semis versus Platinum. Go scored a point for the Barangay, who took home Php 50,000.
Meanwhile, reigning grand champions Limitless App salvaged a third-place finish after beating Pioneer ProTibay through a 21-13 result.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser was once again on the forefront of the Appmasters’ attack with nine points as they collected Php 30,000.
The Scores:
SMB 21 – Manday 13, Austria 3, Bono 3, Rogado 2.
Ginebra 15 – Villamor 7, Serrano 5, David 2, Go 1.
